Daily Tip: How to tethered jailbreak iOS 5.0.1 with RedSn0w

If you're currently running iOS 5.0.1, you can jailbreak via RedSn0w 0.9.9b8. This one is also tethered like the previous beta versions of RedSn0w for iOS 5. It's also worth noting that unlockers should stay away from this one unless they're okay with being tethered. iPhone 4 users should stay away from any newer stock iOS firmware versions altogether in order to preserve their baseband.

Be advised that not all jailbreak apps and tweaks have been updated to support iOS 5 yet. If you’re alright with running tethered and don’t mind a few bugs here and there, follow along for a quick walkthrough.

If you've used RedSn0w before, you'll be right at home. It’s not too much different than jailbreaking any other firmware version you may have used it for previously.

Devices Supported

iPod touch 3G

iPod touch 4G

iPad 1

iPhone3GS

iPhone 4 (GSM)

iPhone 4 (CDMA)

And I can’t say this enough times, if your device is not listed above, please do not attempt to jailbreak any device but the ones listed above. iPad 2 and iPhone 4S users will have to sit this one out.

What you need

This version and other newer versions of RedSn0w should automatically detect what version of iOS you are running. No need to manually browse to a firmware file this time. Just click Jailbreak and follow the prompts.

Next RedSn0w will prompt you to only continue when your device is powered off. If it isn't already, power your device off while it's connected to the computer.

Next you will be guided through putting your device into DFU mode. Follow the steps and RedSn0w will take care of the rest.

If you're on 5.0.1, you will need to manually navigate to an iOS 5.0 firmware file (not 5.0.1). RedSn0w will fail to identify the build on iOS 5.0.1. So do this when RedSn0w fails just like you had to with all other previous versions that didn't automatically detect an IPSW. Just navigate to an iOS 5.0 file for your device instead of 5.0.1.Update: You can use redsn0w 0.9.9b9b for native iOS 5.0.1 support now and not have to point to a 5.0 IPSW. Download links for the newer version of redsn0w are here: Mac, Windows

After RedSn0w finishes doing it's thing, you're done!

Next you may need to perform a tethered boot. If you do, simply open RedSn0w again and click Extras and then Just Boot

Your phone will perform a tethered boot and you should be good to go!

RedSn0w has also thrown in a little bonus for Windows users. You can copy the redsnow.exe file to your desktop or anywhere you like and rename it something like justboot.exe. As long as you have the word "boot" in the file name you can just double click that file to perform a quick tethered boot with RedSn0w.

That's it boys and girls. If you need any help, be sure to check out our TiPb jailbreak forums. Until next time, happy jailbreaking!

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but redsn0w was not updated to support the official 5.0.1. release, only the two betas versions. If you try to jailbreak 5.0.1 using the official 5.0.1 ipsw, you'll get an error about an unsupported firmware version (or something like that). To make it work, you have to point redsn0w at an earlier ipsw (in my case, the 5.0 official release or one of the 5.0.1 betas).

Vinnie is right..when I tried to do a normal tethered jailbreak it said the software was unsupported, but when I pointed redsn0w to the 5.0 ipsw and then jailbroke it worked perfect. I have to point redsn0w at the 5.0 ipsw every time now but i am jailbroken on 5.0.1 on iPhone 4.

Yup. That's because the current redsn0w won't work w/ the official 5.0.1 release, like I said. This tip needs to be updated. The Dev-Team even said on their site (where you download redsn0w from) that it hasn't updated to support 5.0.1.

Interesting. They came out and said to avoid upgrading to 5.0.1 for now if you want a future untethered jailbreak, and stopped updating redsn0w. I've tried to use redsn0w b8 to boot my iPhone 4, and no dice. Maybe it's an iPod thing.

It still hasn't worked for me, but perhaps I'm confused by the way the instructions are posted.
With 5.0.1, if you follow the instructions as posted (i.e. click on 'jailbreak' first), you get the "unknown build" message. When you get the message and go back to 'extras' to select a 5.0 IPSW, you still end up having to go back to 'jailbreak' and start over. Why not just state that in step one, since the post is titled "5.0.1"?
If I restart the process and point to the 5.0 IPSW before starting a jb, it appears to go thru the process - up to and including the running pineapple on the screen - however when my Mac says its done and I need to tethered reboot, I get the same "unknown build" message. When I boot it untethered (and it lets me) I see that 5.0.1 is still there.
What the heck is going on here?

to jailbreak you also need the firmware. if you have an iphone 4 (cdma) then you need to find a iphone 4 (cdma) frimware. After you have downloaded the firmware Go to redsn0w and select ipsw, find your firmware and click on it then and then jailbreak it.

Didn't work for me. I keep getting 'unrecognized build. Please check that you have the latest version of redsnow....." etc. I have iOS 5.0.1 on a ATT iPhone 4. I have iPhone1,24.2.18C148_Restore.ipsw on my computer and modem firmware 04.11.08 on my phone. Can anyone help me out or do I have to wait for another update?

SO I'VE POINTED REDSNOW 0.9.9b8 to my 5.0 Ipsw(I'm currently using ios 5.0.1) WHEN I FINISH THE JAILBREAK I SEEM TO BE MISSING A FEW APPS INCLUDING CYDIA...REDSNOW DON'T RECOGNIZE IOS 5.0.1 Ipsw SOOOO ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED :) thanx

My iphone 3gs is on 5.0.1, and even though i went to custom ipsw and clicked 5.0, after dfu mode it said "The connected device doesn't support untethered options ". Then i tried going straight to "Just boot" and it says the same thing. Please help iv tried everything!

I've jailbroken my verizon iphone 4 and after a couple months of working perfectly the battery died so after charging it i attempted to boot it back up with red snow 0.9.9b8 and after the uploading first stage finishes it says at the top left of the screen "exploit failed!" what do i need to do to fix this??? someone please help!!!

redsnow has a new version out that automatically recognizes your 5.0.1 you just have to click "jailbreak" and it does the rest for u .. and if its tethered all you have to do is save the redsnow 10 file on your desktop and rename it to boot.exe and that way all you have to do is click it to fix your iphone or itouch after a reboot... i think this is awesome because iv been trying to unlock my phone all day and i finally figured out how .. just search on google "redsn0w 10" and it will pop up ... all this unlocking and jailbreaking stuff isnt hard u just have to be patient and search google .. google has everything ! hope i helped !!! <3